The Innovation Show

In this episode, we are joined by Wendy Smith, co-author of 'Both/And Thinking: Embrace Creative Tensions to Solve Your Toughest Problems.' Wendy elaborates on the nuances between dilemmas, paradoxes, and tensions, emphasising that these terms are not interchangeable and revealing the psychological and practical implications of recognising and navigating paradoxes. Drawing from her personal experiences and research, Wendy illustrates how both/and thinking can be applied to career decisions, organisational challenges, and broader societal issues. She discusses the limitations of either/or thinking and the harmful patterns it can create, such as intensification, overcorrection, and polarisation. Using examples from companies like Lego and Gore, Wendy shows how balancing tradition and innovation, centralisation and decentralisation, and other competing demands can lead to more sustainable success. The conversation also delves into the four types of paradoxes: learning, performing, organising, and belonging, and

Mastering High-Stakes Conversations for Corporate Innovation In this episode, we dive into the essential techniques for leading high-stakes conversations to secure senior-level commitment to corporate innovation. Our guest, Alexander Pett, an expert in executive team dynamics, discusses the crucial concept of 'productive tension' and how recognizing and addressing disagreement can lead to authentic agreement and commitment. Pett outlines practical strategies for effectively framing issues, maintaining engagement, and navigating political dynamics in boardroom settings. Tune in to learn how to prepare and communicate strategically, ensuring your innovative ideas gain the buy-in they need to succeed. 00:00 Introduction to High-Stakes Conversations 01:31 The Importance of Productive Tension 05:23 Pre-Work and Stakeholder Engagement 07:12 Creating and Maintaining Productive Tension 08:44 Communication Skills and Self-Awareness 18:30 Frameworks for Effective Dialogue 20:55 Final Thoughts and Advice Corporate Innov

Ethical Business Leadership in a Turbulent World | Alison Taylor's Insights   Join Alison Taylor, NYU Stern ethics professor and author of 'Higher Ground: How Business Can Do the Right Thing in a Turbulent World.' Alison shares her guidance on how companies can navigate ethical challenges in today's volatile landscape. She emphasizes the importance of going back to first principles and treating human beings with dignity and respect. Discover the significant shifts in business ethics, stakeholder capitalism, and the role of transparency and social media. Learn about the critical role of corporate culture, leadership, and the importance of addressing systemic issues within organizations. Whether you're a CEO, board member, or business leader, this discussion is packed with indispensable insights on creating a responsible and sustainable business.   00:00 Introduction to Ethical Business Practices 01:16 Understanding the Modern Business Landscape 02:36 The Rise of Transparency and Stakeholder Capitalis

Get Out of the Building: How to Gathering Customer Discovery Data with Vanessa Ceia   In this episode, we explore the critical shift needed for corporate explorers to succeed—moving from an inside-out to an outside-in mindset. Highlighting Corporate Explorer Field Book chapters, we discuss how customer discovery interviews can overcome inherent corporate biases. Sponsored by Wazoku, our guest Vanessa Ceia, an innovation expert, explains the importance of different interview stages—ideation, incubation, and scaling—and how qualitative research like focus groups and interviews are essential throughout the innovation process. Gain insights into preparing, conducting, and analysing interviews to gather customer-driven data and foster effective, sustainable innovation ecosystems.   00:00 Overcoming Corporate Mindset Obstacles 01:01 Introducing the Corporate Explorer Series Sponsor 01:37 Meet the Expert: Vanessa Ceia 02:05 Deep Dive into Customer-Driven Innovation 03:22 Exploring the Innovation Funnel: Id

Teresa Amabile - The Progress Principle The Progress Principle: How Small Wins Boost Motivation and Happiness at Work In the latest episode, Aidan McCullen welcomes Teresa Amabile, author of 'The Progress Principle,' to delve into her extensive research on motivation and emotions in the workplace.  Amabile's study of nearly 12,000 diary entries from workers in seven companies reveals that making even small progress in meaningful work is crucial for positive emotions and high motivation.  The conversation touches on key concepts like the role of clear goals, autonomy, sufficient resources, and the importance of supportive interpersonal events in fostering a productive work environment. The script also previews Amabile's upcoming book, 'Retiring: Creating a Life That Works for You,' which explores the challenges and experiences of transitioning into retirement. 00:00 Unlocking Motivation: The Power of Progress 01:34 Welcome Teresa Amabile: Exploring The Progress Principle 02:52 From Work Progress to R

Howard Gardner: The Synthesizing Mind   Sign up to our Substack to be first to know about latest events, episodes and more.    In this episode of the Innovation Show, Howard Gardner, renowned for his theory of multiple intelligences, discusses his memoir 'A Synthesizing Mind,' recounting his life's intellectual journey.    Gardner talks about his career, his passion for understanding intelligence, his work on 'good work,' and how modern innovations like large language models impact his theories.    He shares personal anecdotes, the importance of synthesizing information, and his thoughts on education and ethics in the 21st century. Join us for a truly memorable episode as we delve deep into Gardner's mind and explore the essence of a synthesizer.   We talk innovation, creativity, ethics, goodness, education and life itself.   00:00 Unveiling the Synthesizing Mind of Howard Gardner 01:56 Exploring the Essence of the Synthesizing Mind 06:20 The Role of Synthesizers

This episode delves into the challenges corporate explorers face when introducing new business opportunities, emphasising the importance of crafting compelling value propositions. Featuring guest George Glackin, co-author of a chapter on value flows and design criteria maps, the discussion highlights these tools as essential for developing products or services that truly delight customers. Through the Swiffer Wet Jet case study, the effectiveness of these methodologies in real-world application is explored. Additionally, the episode covers the importance of overcoming the 'curse of expertise' and fostering diverse team collaboration to achieve innovation success. Sponsored by Wazoku, the episode advocates for connected collective intelligence in driving sustainable innovation ecosystems. 00:00 Introduction to Corporate Explorers and Value Propositions 00:43 Sponsor Spotlight: Wazoku's Role in Innovation 01:29 Guest Introduction: George Glackin on Value Flows and Design Criteria Maps 01:41 The Genesis of Value

Dan Ariely    Navigating Misinformation with Empathy: Misbelief with Dan Ariely   This episode features Dan Ariely, author of 'Misbelief, what makes rational people believe irrational things', focusing on the psychology behind misinformation and belief in conspiracy theories.    Ariely discusses how stress, personality traits, and social dynamics contribute to the spread of false beliefs, emphasising the importance of resilience and trust in combating misinformation.    He shares personal experiences, including being targeted by disinformation, and highlights his role in the NBC show 'The Irrational' that combines social science with solving crimes. The conversation touches on various psychological concepts, the impact of cognitive biases, and the role of social context in shaping beliefs.    Ariely proposes empathy and understanding over conflict in addressing belief in misinformation and discusses the broader implications of trust erosion in society.   00:00

Unpacking Mindfulness and Positive Psychology with Ellen Langer   This podcast episode features Ellen Langer, known as the mother of mindfulness and positive psychology, discussing her latest book 'The Mindful Body' and its comprehensive insights into achieving chronic health through mindfulness. Langer covers a variety of topics, from the pitfalls of social comparison to the power of positive framing and the immense control people have over their health and happiness through mindful practices. Through anecdotes and empirical studies, she illustrates how changing perceptions and embracing variability can alleviate chronic illnesses, transform education, and enhance daily living. The discussion also touches on the psychological effects of labels, the importance of mindfulness in caregiving, and the transformative potential of mindful learning in both personal and professional contexts. Langer emphasizes the choice available in interpretations of our experiences and encourages a mindful approach to life's

In this episode of the Corporate Explorer series by Wazoku, we delve into the concept of customer-first practices and their impact on bridging the maturity gap in corporate innovation. Michael Nichols, coauthor of the Corporate Explorer Field Book and Director of Corporate Ventures for MANN + HUMMEL, shares insights on the challenges of inside-out innovation within corporations, emphasizing the importance of validating business models beyond core business practices. He discusses the common pitfalls of corporates mistaking invention for innovation, the crucial role of customer problem identification, and the necessity of developing a repeatable business model. Nichols also outlines the steps towards achieving business model maturity, highlighting the importance of problem-solving, scalability, and customer need. This episode sheds light on the systemic issues facing corporate innovation and offers guidelines for successfully navigating and leveraging customer-first methodologies to ensure sustainable growth an

An Interview with Ellen Langer: The Power of Mindfulness in Health and Life   The script features an interview with Ellen Langer, the first woman to be tenured in psychology at Harvard. Known worldwide as the mother of mindfulness and the mother of Positive Psychology, she shares insights from her esteemed career and her latest book, 'The Mindful Body Thinking, our Way to Lasting Health'. Langer discusses her role in pioneering research in Mind Body Unity and emphasizes the importance of mindfulness as a way of enhancing health. She explains how attitudes and personal perspectives can often influence our physical and mental well-being, including how we perceive and treat stress, illnesses like cancer, chronic diseases and even factors like age and physical appearance. She emphasizes the power of perception, contextual considerations, and the important role that language plays in mediating our experiences.   00:00 Introduction to the Guest and Her Work 00:48 Understanding Mindfulness and Its Impact 0

In this final of a 4-part episode, Rita McGrath discusses her upcoming book focused on how organisations can design structures that empower decision-making at all levels, embracing a 'permissionless' approach to innovation. She elaborates on the importance of engaging disengaged workforces and optimising for transient competitive advantages. Rita provides insightful tactics for assessing competitive landscapes, using various strategies like onslaughts, guerrilla campaigns, feints, and gambits. She also touches on leadership practices for fostering innovation, including managing personal agendas, devoting time to new ventures, and employing a range of leadership practices to navigate uncertainty and encourage a culture of opportunity-seeking within organisations. Rita advocates for 'intelligent failure' and explores how technology can redefine management to promote human flourishing at work. The episode concludes with an insight into her new book's core thesis, aiming for a release in 2024 or 2025.   00:0

The Power of Collective Intelligence with Simon Hill Harnessing Global Creativity for Innovation: A Wazoku Story   This episode examines the power of collective intelligence and open innovation, focusing on Wazoku, a company that facilitates innovation through technology. The discussion highlights a story where an individual from India solved a carbonated drink company's bubble manipulation challenge, exemplifying global problem-solving capabilities. Simon Hill, Wazoku's CEO, elaborates on the importance of embracing external ideas, utilising software for innovation efficiency, and fostering a culture that supports innovation. Emphasising the potential of AI and crowdsourcing, the narrative showcases examples where unexpected solutions emerged from non-obvious sources, including a violinist providing a solution for a potato chip company. The episode underscores the significance of asking the right questions, timing for ideas, and structuring organisations to tap into external creativity effectively. &nbs

In this extensive session with Rita McGrath, Aiden explores the timeless insights of McGrath's book on embodying an entrepreneurial mindset in businesses. McGrath emphasises the importance of continuous innovation, exploiting new opportunities, and building new competencies to stay competitive. The conversation covers key concepts like the significance of key ratios, creating new competence, understanding consumption chains, and the necessity of political savvy within corporate innovation. McGrath also introduces practical tools and frameworks for evaluating opportunities, managing resources, and adapting execution strategies. The dialogue includes examples like Amazon's innovation in delivery systems and Procter & Gamble's ventures, illustrating the application of these concepts in real-world scenarios. McGrath provides advice on overcoming common challenges in innovation, such as attracting the first few customers and navigating corporate politics effectively.   00:00 Welcome & Introduction to

In part 2 of The Entrepreneurial Mindset, Rita McGrath, discusses the concept of the entrepreneurial mindset and the power of consumption chain analysis for businesses seeking to differentiate and innovate.    Rita illustrates how understanding each step of a customer's journey, from need identification to product disposal, can unveil numerous opportunities for innovation and competitive advantage.    She shares insightful examples ranging from grocery shopping to the historical battle between Betamax and VHS, highlighting the importance of aligning each step of the consumption chain to customer needs and preferences.    She also touches on the significance of resegmenting markets and reconfiguring industries to capture new opportunities, using examples from automobile insurance and manufacturing.    The episode offers a deep dive into how companies can apply these concepts to drive growth, challenge assumptions, and transform their competitive landscapes.   00:00

Harnessing the Entrepreneurial Mindset for Innovation and Growth This script delves into a conversation with Rita McGrath, author of 'The Entrepreneurial Mindset,' exploring principles for thriving in rapidly changing environments. McGrath shares her personal journey from industry to academia, emphasizing the importance of understanding practical business applications. The script covers themes such as the importance of an entrepreneurial mindset in recognizing and acting on business opportunities, detailed methodologies for product differentiation, and strategies for business model innovation. McGrath discusses her work on attribute mapping and quizzing as tools for identifying customer needs and creating blockbuster products. The narrative extends to strategic management under uncertainty, leveraging insights from evolutionary economics, and the challenge of disruptive innovation. The script concludes with McGrath highlighting software solutions, like Sparc Hub, designed to facilitate the operationalization

Innovating Within the Military: Challenge-Driven Innovation and Connected Intelligence This episode of the Corporate Explorer, recorded in London during the launch of the Corporate Explorer field book and powered by Wazoku, features Stuart Laws from the UK's Defense Innovation Unit. The discussion explores how challenge-driven innovation has transformed problem-solving within the military, moving away from a traditional idea-generation model to one that actively involves business units in framing their issues for more scoped and implementable solutions. Laws highlights the shift towards a more inclusive innovation approach, engaging employees, suppliers, startups, universities, and leveraging Wazoku's connected collective intelligence of over 700,000 global problem solvers. The episode also delves into the human aspects of innovation, including the creation of stakeholder personas to better understand and influence decision-makers, and the serendipitous discovery of solutions through cross-sector collaboratio

Navigating Change and Reinvention: A Conversation with Michael J. Critelli In this in-depth conversation, former CEO and Chairman of Pitney Bowes, Michael J. Critelli, shares insights on leading a company through periods of significant change and market disruption. Starting with a historical overview of Pitney Bowes’ evolution from a mail processing business to embracing global markets and adjacent market opportunities, Critelli discusses strategic thinking, the importance of innovation, and the necessity of constantly adapting business strategies. He highlights the challenges of competing with government and quasi-government entities, the importance of exiting markets strategically, and the need to centralize operations to stay competitive. The conversation also touches on the value of salespeople as 'human sensors' in identifying opportunities, the importance of R&D investment, understanding customer-driven value, and the role of leadership in navigating change. Critelli’s journey offers valuable lesson

In this episode of 'The Innovation Show,' host Aidan McCullen sits down with the former chairman and CEO of Pitney Bowes, Michael Critelli. Through a deep dive into Critelli’s career, we explore his penchant for the road less traveled, his transformative leadership at Pitney Bowes, and his insights on innovation, strategy, and foresight. From humble beginnings to leading a staple communications company through times of intense change, including the internet era, 9/11, and the recession, Critelli shares lessons on valuing potential over qualifications, listening to dissent, and the importance of constant adaptation in business and life. 00:00 Early Career and Joining Pitney Bowes 01:40 Climbing the Ladder: From Legal to Leadership 04:28 Reinventing Pitney Bowes: A Tale of Transformative Change 07:09 Embracing Agile Strategy: Lessons from the Front Lines 13:51 The Power of Listening and Adapting in Leadership 42:39 The Importance of Vision and Courage in Decision-Making  44:47 Fostering a Culture of Contin

This episode of the Corporate Explorer series features a discussion with Bea Schofield, a specialist in Challenge-Driven Innovation (CDI), and various co-authors of the 'Corporate Explorer Field Book'. The podcast, supported by Wazoku, delves into how large organisations can foster innovation through a sustainable ecosystem using 'Connected Collective Intelligence'. The conversation focuses on the principles of CDI, detailing a framework dubbed 'LASSO' for crafting effective challenges that stimulate creative solutions. It underscores the importance of setting clear boundaries to fuel creativity, ensuring challenges are actionable and specific, and aligning them with strategic goals to facilitate ownership and support within the organisation. The episode also covers strategic challenge framing, stakeholder engagement, solution evaluation, and prioritisation, offering insights into blending creativity with systematic processes for corporate innovation. Bea Schofield shares her perspective on the role of corpor